The New York-based National Cargo Bureau (NCB) along with its Exis Technologies subsidiary, which NCB acquired in April 2018, have joined the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA).
Exis Technologies have been members of ICHCA for more than 10 years, but with the company becoming part of NCB the next logical step was for the group to become members, said the head of ICHCA Richard Brough.
Cargo inspection group NCB will bring its expertise to ICHCA, with Exis Technologies promoting and developing its Hazcheck Detect systems for identifying misdeclared and non-declared cargoes.
Brough added that while Exis Technologies and ICHCA have worked together on many joint projects over the past decade, there are new projects planned that will use NCB’s capability along with ICHCA’s own expertise.
According to the joint statement Captain Eric Rounds, chief surveyor at NCB will sit on the ICHCA Technical Panel alongside Will Bartle, the compliance and regulations manager at Exis Technologies.
Brough added, “Together the companies bring a wealth of container and dangerous goods shipping experience. We have worked with Exis for many years on initiatives to improve cargo handling. We look forward to building on our relationship with Exis and NCB to develop more solutions for our members and the wider shipping community.”
Past projects from ICHCA have included ventures, with sponsorship from the insurer TT Club, the CTU pack e-learning courses for those involved in container packing job roles and IMDG Code e-learning courses for shore-side staff handling and transporting dangerous goods by sea.
NCB was incorporated as a non-profit organisation in May 1952 with a view to promoting the safety of life and cargo at sea. NCB has 18 offices throughout the US and a global network of approved marine surveyors. Exis Technologies is headquartered in Darlington, UK.
